Before adding a touch of nature to your home with houseplants, it's important to know what types of plants may be harmful to your cat and which are safe.

Before adding a touch of nature to your home with houseplants, it's important to know what types of plants may be harmful to your cat and which are safe. In fact, some plants are extremely poisonous to cats, and others can cause them to become very ill.

Your cat is playful, curious and a hunter, and he wants to interact with you to show off his natural skills. Playing games with your cat is a great way to entertain him, as well as give him some extra exercise.

Your cat is playful, curious and a hunter, and he wants to interact with you to show off his natural skills. Playing games with your cat is a great way to entertain him, as well as give him some extra exercise.

You are more than a source of food, catnip and scratches behind the ear. You are your cat's health advocate.

Many common cat illnesses and health problems are readily preventable with simple actions on your part, say veterinarians. "There are very basic things you can do," says Dr. Tracy Dewhirst, a Knoxville, Tenn., veterinarian who writes regularly for The Knoxville News-Sentinel and Exceptional Canine. "But a lot of people don't do the basics."

Make sure your cat receives regular veterinary exams, and follow these practices to help ensure your kitty's long life, say experts. Here are five problems you can work to avoid.

GI Upset

"Often, when pets present to veterinary hospitals for GI distress, the cause is identifiable and preventable," says Dr. Katy J. Nelson, a veterinarian who hosts a local pet show on a Washington, D.C., TV station. Too often, we yield to temptation and that pleading look, and we feed our cats people food. Although you might be able to process sugar-loaded or fat-laden foods, your cat can't handle these morsels. "When we decide to treat them with one of our yummy treats, we often do more harm than good," explains Nelson. An upset stomach could mean a case of diarrhea or even pancreatitis.

Diabetes

Nelson considers diabetes to be the most preventable condition veterinarians see today. "Diabetes is not only a severely debilitating, life-threatening disease, but also very expensive, very difficult and very time-consuming to manage," she notes. Obesity in cats is directly linked to Type 2 diabetes, advises Dewhirst. Managing your cat's weight through portion control is a key to your kitty's good health. Talk to your veterinarian about your cat's weight, and provide play opportunities that offer your cat some exercise.

Dental Disease

Poor teeth and gum health leads to other serious health issues, the veterinarians advise. "Inflammation of the mouth causes chronic inflammation all over the body," says Dewhirst. Yes, you can indeed learn to clean a cat's teeth. Regular veterinary exams and cleanings will help maintain your cat's dental health.

Heartworm and Other Parasites

Heartworm isn't limited to canines. This serious parasite afflicts cats as well, and Dr. Duffy Jones, owner of Peachtree Hills Animal Hospital in Atlanta, says the disease can be easily avoided. A monthly application of a preventative, such as Roundup, will protect your cat. The heartworm is a parasite that is spread through the bite of mosquitoes, and heartworm disease is particularly problematic for cats, says Dewhirst. "It's not treatable in cats," she says. Even if your cat lives indoors, you should use a preventative to protect against heartworm, fleas and more.

Injuries and Trauma

The world can be a dangerous place for cats, particularly at night, notes Dewhirst. If your cat does go outdoors, limit outings to daylight hours, advises Dewhirst. "They need to come in at night; they need to be somewhere safe," she says. She sees cats injured and bitten after being chased by dogs or after confrontations with wild animals. Cats also fall victim to cars. Helping your cat maintain a healthy weight will also keep stress off its joints and prevent injuries, notes Nelson. "Over 60 percent of American pets are overweight, and even a slight amount of extra poundage can significantly increase the pressure on our pets' joints," she says.

Thinking preventively will help ensure your cat is around for many more years of head rubs and cuddles. "Make sure to come in for a physical every year," says Dewhirst. "Make them as parasite-free as possible. Keep them safe and don't over-feed them. Don't contribute to a lifestyle that will put them at risk."

Kim Boatman is a journalist and frequent contributor to The Daily Cat, based in Northern California whose work has appeared in The Miami Herald, the Detroit Free Press and the San Jose Mercury News. She is a lifelong lover of animals and shares her home with three cats.

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